Falling Down
World Without Sundays Lyrics
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I always shoot for subtlety but use the term so loosely
Everyone was talking to her words from all directions
So I talked with him instead my only good protection
Only on her way to leave she stopped to have a word
I know she said "goodbye" but it's 'I love you' that I heard
Getting to the telephone I swear it almost killed me
Nearly coughing blood while saying, 'no it's not too early'
Then she said her boyfriend, too, had such a lovely time
And I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing
It's alright I'm okay
I'm alright now, I don't want you anyway
Now we're drinking at the pub and having one too many
I'm looking at him for a flaw and man I can't find any
God, I feel so guilty for the feelings I'm containing
And hearing no applause from all the thoughts I'm entertaining
Heading for the bathroom he says, 'will you watch her close?'
She laughs as he says, 'I just don't trust those other boys'
And I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing
It's alright I'm okay
It's alright now, I don't want you anyway
And if I say my heart is breaking now over you
What would you do
And if you saw the pieces falling down
Right in front of you what would you do
And I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing
It's alright I'm okay
I'm alright now, I don't want you anyway
In "Falling Down," World Without Sundays explores the singer's inner turmoil as they navigate their complicated feelings for someone they can't fully have. As the song begins, the singer recounts the first time they met this person, who is presumably already in a relationship. Despite their initial attraction and attempts to subtly express it, the singer ultimately settles for a friendship with the person's partner as a way to hold onto some connection with them.
As the night wears on, the singer and their friend-who-is-not-their-crush continue to drink and socialize, with the singer struggling to contain their feelings and thoughts. There is a sense of guilt and confusion throughout the song as the singer vacillates between wanting to pursue their crush and feeling like they need to suppress those desires. The chorus signals a semblance of resolution, with the singer telling themselves (and perhaps also their crush) that they're "alright" and no longer interested in pursuing them romantically.
Throughout the song, there is a wistfulness and vulnerability that permeates the lyrics, highlighted by the repeated refrain of "I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing." This phrase reflects the singer's introspection and self-awareness, even as they struggle with their own internal contradictions.
Some possible interpretations of the song include the challenges of platonic friendships with unrequited attractions, the pain of wanting what you can't have, and the simple reality that sometimes, people's feelings are just messy and hard to sort out.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember falling down when he introduced me
I felt overwhelmed and stumbled when I first met the person mentioned
I always shoot for subtlety but use the term so loosely
I try to be subtle, but end up being vague when using certain words
Everyone was talking to her words from all directions
Many people were talking to her simultaneously
So I talked with him instead my only good protection
I spoke with someone else to avoid feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable
Only on her way to leave she stopped to have a word
She only talked to me briefly before leaving
I know she said "goodbye" but it's 'I love you' that I heard
I interpreted her farewell as a declaration of love
Getting to the telephone I swear it almost killed me
It was difficult for me to reach the phone due to emotional distress
Nearly coughing blood while saying, 'no it's not too early'
I was so anxious that I had a physical reaction when answering the phone
We joked about the party and I know I made her smile
I made her laugh during our conversation as we reminisced about a past event
Then she said her boyfriend, too, had such a lovely time
She mentioned that her boyfriend also enjoyed the party we talked about
And I don't know why I'm doing what I'm doing
I am unsure why I am acting the way I am
It's alright I'm okay
I am trying to assure myself that I am fine
I'm alright now, I don't want you anyway
I am over the person mentioned and do not have feelings for them anymore
Now we're drinking at the pub and having one too many
We are drinking and potentially getting drunk at a pub or bar
I'm looking at him for a flaw and man I can't find any
I am looking for a reason to dislike the person mentioned but cannot find a flaw
God, I feel so guilty for the feelings I'm containing
I feel guilty for keeping my true feelings hidden or stifled
And hearing no applause from all the thoughts I'm entertaining
I am not feeling validated or satisfied by my own thoughts or actions
Heading for the bathroom he says, 'will you watch her close?'
As he goes to the bathroom, he asks me to keep an eye on the person mentioned
She laughs as he says, 'I just don't trust those other boys'
She finds it amusing that he is protective of her and does not trust other men
And if I say my heart is breaking now over you
If I were to express that I am heartbroken over the person mentioned
What would you do
I am curious about how the person mentioned would react
And if you saw the pieces falling down
If the person mentioned were to witness my emotional breakdown or turmoil
Right in front of you what would you do
I am curious about how the person mentioned would respond to my emotional turmoil
Contributed by Matthew E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.